Free Sample Child Custody Contract Templates

To help you grow your business, we've created a pretty simple yet reliable child care contract template in Word and PDF versions so you can use it over and over.

What's in this model?

• Conditions

• Services

• Termination

What is a babysitting contract?

A babysitter contract is concluded between the parent and a person paid to watch and care for their children. A babysitter can be hired on a case-by-case basis or be on a weekly schedule. 

In most cases, a babysitter is not hired as an employee but as an independent contractor and responsible for paying their own withholdings. 

In addition to compensation, the contract should outline the babysitter's responsibilities, transportation methods, emergency contacts, and any other terms to be agreed upon.

What is a babysitter?

A babysitter is someone who is hired to temporarily care for children on behalf of the parents or guardians of the children. A babysitter may also be referred to as a "sitter" and typically takes care of children of all ages who need supervision.

What are the types of child care contracts?

There are three types of childcare contracts: daily, hourly or monthly. The day contract is the most common, and is commonly used for working parents and for children attending daycare. It is suitable for people wishing to babysit part-time. In addition, the services of an educational daycare center are included in the price of this type of contract. The hourly contract is also very popular because it allows parents to keep their children in their own homes, whether they are at school or not. The one-month contract is the most advantageous because it offers greater flexibility to parents and children.

When is a babysitter contract necessary?

If you're hiring a full-time nanny or caregiver for your child, you may be considering setting up a formal contract. But do you also need a contract for when the kid next door babysits you for three hours on a Friday night?

Full-time care contracts

If you have a full-time nanny or babysitter working for you, it's a good idea to have a written contract so that salary, responsibilities, and hours are clearly defined. When someone is working for you full time, you want to be sure that there are absolutely no misunderstandings.

According to the IRS, if you pay more than $2 in salary to a household employee in a year, you must pay employment taxes for that employee. If you hire a nanny through an agency, they will likely take care of the contract and taxes for you.

Current part-time babysitters

When deciding if you need a contract for a part-time babysitter, first consider how often the babysitter will work for you.

You must be able to rely on this babysitter and be sure that he will show up. A contract will help you clarify what you expect and what each person's responsibilities are.

Occasional part-time babysitters

If you're hiring your best friend's teenager for just one Saturday afternoon, you might not feel obligated to have a written contract. After all, you only use the babysitter once in a while for a few hours and most likely the babysitter is a teenager, you know. You don't consider him an employee.

However, it's a good idea to create a written agreement (presenting it as an "agreement" rather than a "contract" will seem less intimidating to your average teenager). Keep it short and concise, and include things like:

• The hourly rate you pay

• Telephone numbers where you can be reached

• What you expect from the babysitter: playing with the children, cleaning, serving dinner, putting the children to bed, etc.

• Things you don't want the babysitter to do: having friends over, being on the phone with the kids, going into certain rooms, etc.

• Things the babysitter can do: eat whatever she wants, use the TV after the kids are in bed, etc.

• Rules you expect the babysitter to enforce with your children: no dessert before dinner, no leaving the yard, one hour of TV only, etc.

It's a good idea to print out a generic copy of this agreement, then, each time you have a sitter, fill in a few lines at the bottom with the current date and expected times of your absence. Then sign it and have the babysitter sign it as well after reviewing it with them. Encourage your sitter to take a picture of it with their phone, so they have a copy.

Keep in mind that minors, usually people under the age of 18, cannot enter into a legal contract. Even in these circumstances, asking your babysitter to sign an agreement may make them more likely to stick to its terms, as your expectations are all in black and white, and the babysitter is less likely to be able to. claim to have misunderstood the arrangement. You may also feel more secure knowing that you have all your rules written down.

Important Terms

What should your babysitter contract contain?

A babysitter contract may include the following terms:

• Duration – how long the babysitter will be hired

• Services – description of childcare services

• Prices – hourly rates for the babysitter

• spending – reimbursement of all additional expenses incurred (e.g. groceries, takeaway meals, etc.)

• Terms payment – ​​when and how the family will pay the fees

• Working environment – this clause is included to ensure a safe working environment

• Cancellation and refund policy – how to manage cancellations and refunds

• Policy – to protect confidential information between the two parties

• Guarantee – an important legal clause

• Limitation of liability – to protect you against claims for loss and damage

• Dispute settlement – dispute management process in the event of a problem

• Termination   – how either party can cancel the agreement

• Events beyond control   – force majeure clause

• General – standard contractual clauses such as entire agreement, termination and governing law